26 Hours Before the Shockwave
Alexandra stirred from sleep as the first rays of morning light filtered through the worn curtains of her small studio apartment. The city outside was just beginning to wake, the distant hum of traffic a familiar backdrop to her mornings. She stretched, her long brown wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, and blinked the sleep from her blue eyes.
The alarm on her phone buzzed insistently, pulling her fully into the waking world. She sighed, sitting up and glancing around the modest space that was all hers. The apartment was small but cozy, filled with secondhand furniture and books on every surface. It was a far cry from the warmth of a family home, but it was hers, and she had made it her own.
Alexandra swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet touching the cool wooden floor. She had a long day ahead of her—college classes in the morning, followed by a shift at the local café in the afternoon. As a science major, she was still trying to find her niche, exploring the vast fields of biology, chemistry, and physics without settling on one just yet. The uncertainty of her future weighed on her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the tasks at hand.
She moved through her morning routine with practiced efficiency, dressing in a simple outfit of jeans and a sweater, her mind already racing ahead to the day's schedule. The thought of her classes brought a mix of excitement and anxiety. She loved learning, but the pressure of choosing a specific field of study loomed large.
As she brushed her teeth, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her blue eyes were bright with determination, a trait she had honed over the years as an orphan navigating life on her own. She had learned to be self-reliant, to push through the challenges and make the best of what she had.
With a final check of her bag to make sure she had everything she needed, Alexandra headed out the door, ready to face whatever the day would bring. Little did she know, the world was about to change in ways she could never have imagined.
Alexandra locked the door to her apartment, the familiar click echoing in the quiet hallway. She took a deep breath steeling herself for the day ahead, and began her journey to school. The city was alive with the morning rush, people hurrying to their destinations, but Alexandra moved at her own pace, savoring the relative calm before the storm of her daily routine.
As she walked, the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, leading her to her favorite coffee shop. The small bell above the door jingled as she entered, and she smiled at the familiar barista behind the counter. "Morning, Alex," he greeted her warmly.
"Morning," she replied, her eyes scanning the menu even though she knew exactly what she wanted. "I'll have a hot Carmel latte with whipped cream, please."
While she waited, she glanced around the cozy shop, taking in the mismatched furniture and the electric art on the walls. It was a place she had come to love, a small oasis of comfort in her busy life. The barista handed her the steaming cup, and she thanked him, taking a moment to inhale the rich aroma before stepping back out into the crisp morning air.
Sipping her coffee, Alexandra continued her journey to campus, the warm drink a comforting presence in her hands. As she approached the campus, she spotted her friends gathered in the field, their laughter carrying in the breeze. She quickened her pace, a smile spreading across her face.
"Hey, Alex!" Her friend Jason called out, waving her over. The group was a mix of familiar faces Jason, with his ever present flat brimmed hat; Sarah, who was always buried in a book; and Noah, who has a knack for making everyone laugh.
"Morning, guys," Alexandra said, joining them. She took a seat on the grass, feeling the coolness seep through her jeans. "What's the plan for today?"
"Same old, same old," Jason replied with a shrug. "Classes, lunch, more classes, and then maybe a study session at the library."
"Sounds thrilling," Alexandra said, rolling her eyes playfully. But despite the routine, she felt a sense of belonging among her friends, a small circle of warmth in the vastness of the world.
As they chatted, the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a golden glow over the campus. Alexandra took another sip of her coffee, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. Little did she know, the world was about to change in ways she could never have imagined.
Alexandra glanced at her phone and realized with a start that class was about to begin. "Oh, I gotta go," she said quickly gathering her things. "See you guys later!"
"Bye Alex!" Her friends called out as she hurried across the campus, her coffee cup still in hand. The familiar path to her class building was dotted with students making their way to their respective lectures, and Alexandra weaved through the crowd, her mind already shifting into student mode.
She entered the building, the cool air inside a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun. The halls were filled with the low hum of conversation and the sound of footsteps echoing off the walls. Alexandra quickened her pace, her heart rate picking up as she navigated the maze of corridors.
Finally, she reached her classroom, slipping through the door just as the professor was setting up at the front. She let out a small sigh of relief, taking her usual seat near the back. Setting her coffee down, she pulled out her laptop, the screen lighting up as she opened a new document to take notes.
The room was filled with the quiet rustle of papers and the soft tapping of keys as students settled in. Alexandra glanced around, her eyes landing on familiar faces, but she didn't engage with anyone. She was usually quiet and reserved in class, preferring to keep to herself and focus on the lecture.
Her friend Jason, with his easygoing nature, had always been better at making friends and engaging with others. Alexandra, on the other hand, found it easier to keep to herself, especially in larger groups. She didn't mind the solitude; it gave her time to think and process her thoughts.
As the professor began the lecture, Alexandra focused on the material, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she took detailed notes. The world outside the classroom faded away, leaving only the sound of the professor's voice and the steady rhythm of her typing.
Little did she know, the world was about to change in ways she could never have imagined, and the quiet moments of her day would soon be a distant memory.
The lecture seemed to stretch on endlessly, but finally, the professor wrapped up, leaving the students to gather their belongings. Alexandra closed her laptop, slipping it into her bag along with her notebooks. She stretched her arms, feeling the stiffness in her shoulders from sitting for so long.
As she made her way out of the classroom, she tossed her half empty, now cold coffee into the trash, the cup landing with a soft thud. The hallway was bustling with students, everyone moving with a sense of purpose, whether it was to their next class or out into the sunny afternoon.
Alexandra headed to her usual meeting spot, a small grassy area just outside the main campus building. It was a spot she and her friends had claimed as their own, a place to unwind and enjoy a quick meal before their next classes. She found a spot on the grass, setting her bag down and taking a seat, the warmth of the sun on her face a welcome relief.
While she waited for her friends, she pulled out her phone, checking her messages and scrolling through social media. Her mind wandering to the tasks she needed to accomplish later in the day. She had a shift at the cafe, and she wanted to get her homework done before heading in. Balancing work and school was always a challenge, but she had learned to manage her time well.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of familiar voices. "Hey Alex!" Jason called out, waving as he approached with Sarah and Noah in tow.
"Hey guys," Alexandra replied, smiling as they joined her on the grass. They spread out a blanket, creating a makeshift picnic area, and began unpacking their lunches.
"How was class?" Sarah asked unpacking her sandwich.
"Same as always," Alexandra said with a shrug. "Just trying to stay awake and take notes."
"Sounds about right," Noah chimed in, taking a bite of his sandwich.
They chatted and laughed, the conversation flowing easily between them. Alexandra felt a sense of comfort in their company, a reminder that despite the challenges she faced, she had friends who cared about her.
As the time approached for their next classes, they packed up their things, saying their goodbyes. Alexandra headed home, her mind already shifting tasks ahead. She had a busy afternoon planned, but she was determined to make it through.
Alexandra unlocked the door to her apartment, stepping inside and letting out a sigh of relief. The familiar scent of her home was comforting, a small sanctuary amidst the chaos of her day. She set her bag down and took out her laptop, setting into the chair at her desk.
With a determined focus, she opened her homework assignments, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard as she worked through the problems. The quiet of her apartment was broken only by the soft click of the keys and the accessional rustle of papers. She was determined to finish her work before her shift at the cafe, knowing it would be a long night if she didn't.
Time slipped away as she immersed herself in her studies, the world outside her window fading into the background. Finally, with a triumphant smile, she completed the last question and hit "send," her homework email winging its way to her professor. She leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms above her head, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Now for the next task: getting ready for work. Alexandra stood up, her body protesting slightly after sitting for so long. She changed into her work uniform, a simple black shirt and pants, and tied her hair back into a neat ponytail. The reflection in the mirror showed a young woman who was tired but determined, ready to face whatever the day threw at her.
With a small tired sigh, she headed out the door, locking it behind her. The walk to the cafe was short, but she used the time to try and psych herself up for the next shift ahead. She loved her job, but the long hours and the constant hustle could be draining.
Arriving a little early, she pushed open the door to the cafe, the familiar bell jingling overhead. The warm, inviting aroma of coffee greeted her, and she felt a small surge of energy. Her coworkers were already bustling around, preparing for the afternoon rush.
"Hey Alex," her coworker Jess called out, giving her a quick wave.
"Hey Jess," Alexandra replied, tying her apron around her waist. "Ready for another busy day?"
"Always," Jess said with a grin.
Alexandra took a deep breath, feeling the familiar mix of excitement and exhaustion.
She was ready to face the shift, knowing that every cup of coffee served brought her one step closer to the end of the day.
The shift at the cafe seemed to stretch on endlessly, with its usual busy moments interspersed with lulls that gave Alexandra a chance to catch her breath. She moved through the familiar routine, taking orders, serving coffee, and cleaning tables, her body on autopilot as her mind wandered.
The chatter of customers and the hiss of the espresso machine created a comforting background noise, one she had grown accustomed to over the months.
Finally, as the evening wore on, the last customers trickled out, and Alexandra and her coworkers began the process of closing down the cafe.
She and Jess worked side by side, wiping down counters, sweeping the floors, and restocking supplies for the next day. The conversation flowed easily between them, a mix of light-hearted banter and shared complaints about the long hours.
"Another day, another dollar, right?" Jess joked, wringing out a rag in the sink.
"Tell me about it," Alexandra replied with a tired smile. "I'm ready to collapse into bed."
"Same," Jess laughed. "But hey, we made it through another shift."
Eventually, they finished cleaning up, and Alexandra locked the door behind them, the familiar jingle of the bell signaling the end of another day. They said their goodbyes, heading in the opposite direction as they made their way home.
Alexandra walked the short distance to her apartment, her feet dragging slightly with exhaustion. The cool evening air was a welcome relief, and she took a deep breath, feeling the tension of the day begin the melt away.
Finally, she reached her door, unlocking it and stepping inside. The quiet of her apartment a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the cafe, and she let out a sigh of relief. She dropped her bag by the door and headed straight for the kitchen, her stomach growling in anticipation of dinner.
Rummaging through the fridge, she pulled out a few ingredients- a couple of eggs, some cheese, and a few vegetables.
She decided on a simple omelet, her go to meal when she was too tired to cook anything elaborate. As she cooked, she leaned against the counter, her mind wandering back over the events of the day.
The frustration of the day's events was still fresh, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. She needed to eat to refuel, before she could even think about resting. Once the omelet was done, she plated it and carried it to the living room, collapsing onto the couch with a tired groan.
As she ate, she let her mind drift, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up with her. She knew she should get ready for bed, but the comfort of the couch was too tempting. She finished her dinner, setting the plate aside, and curled up under a blanket, her eyes closing almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.